Tag: hair color

We must say it’s kind of annoying and amusing at the same time that some people will go out of the way to explain to us how to do our job. We do listen and at times you may know the odd thing we can’t figure out ourselves.

Saying that and just to clarify things, we do awesome hair, not pubic hair, we don’t do waxing we are a hair Salon. Yes we are busy enough just to do hair, hair color, hair cutting, hair styling and that’s why we are called a “hair Salon”.

Hair doesn’t know if it’s from India, Sri Lanka or China it’s not memory foam it’s dead keratin. Like a lot of things, magic can happy but needs to be done carefully. The darker the hair the more warmth it has in it so the more difficult it is to go super light ( doesn’t meant you can’t just means more time and thought is involved)

Hair color is our speciality and we pride ourselves in achieving beautiful colors that you will love years after it’s gone!

We have seen our fair share of colors that have gone wrong, half done ash blonde that’s left gold not platinum and we have fixed them all.

Rather than keep shopping around until someone tells you what you want to hear ( be it price, time constraints or feasible) talk to us and let’s see if it’s possible to have the color you have always dreamt of!

Most of you who have ever searched YouTube a make up tutorial you will be familiar with the term “contouring” with make up, its the use of lighter and darker shades to to define or highlight areas of the face be it jaw line, cheek bones etc. This has now moved into assisting in creating the perfect color specifically for your face shape. Everyone has a different face shape and hair texture so its important when you are choosing what color you are going to do that you get the right advice, not just based on what’s in but also what would suit you best after a consultation from the experts.
Its about choosing light and dark tones in certain areas to create depth or shadow on the face and can completely change the way you look! If you are looking for a trend that is unique then look no further because this will not only be on point but bring out the best version of you possible.

Lets look at a few various face shapes so it makes it a little easier to understand how this will change the way you color your hair forever!

When we look at an Oval face we have to expand it a little so it’s about creating lighter shades on the lower lengths and on the underneath of the sides and deeper or darker shades on the top to give the illusion of a slightly wider face

Round face shape, The goal here is to stretch out the look, so adding depth to the ends and lightening around the hairline will do exactly that and give you a more elongated look

Square, Again it is about bringing proportion to the shape, accentuating the length and softening the lines using lighter and darker shades around the ears which adds interest and softness.

Heart shape, Lightening around the jawline will soften the jawline and the lower section of the face, the top layers should be slightly lighter to take the eyes away from the width.

Its never about trying to be someone else, its only ever about trying to be the best version of you possible. If you are coloring your hair and if by chance its a block color then your doing it all wrong, naturally no one has the same color on every strand on their head from roots to ends, its incredibly artificial making hair contouring is the go to technique to either make you look naturally hot or over the top crazy ( the same thing can be done with bright colors be it pastel pink, reds, blues etc )

If you have ever been out on the social circuit ( yeah it’s a circuit ) in delhi you would have seen it worn by a few very well spoken ladies, in fact maybe your friends Auntie, or mine who knows! The reality to get a good Balayage is not hard but you you continually do it, it ends up looking like a Solid mass of gold!

Now unless you are one of those style freaks that likes to match your shoes with your bag and trying to get the hair in the same family of tone ( please don’t ) you need help!

Neither of these photos have filters or have been adjusted in any way btw

A lot of the time the problem is the hairstylist in fact did what you asked for, rather than saying no. Sometimes when your hair is dark and you all want ash blonde, it’s more complex than a simple Balayage so needs a firmer understanding of color, lightening and the underlying tones that your hair will throw off as it gets lighter.

What we did here is reverse Balayage ( darker color ) then a smokey ask toner over it to blend it. We think it looks great!

If you have gone too far and it’s looking like trash or need help, pls call us on 01141010011

By now we have all had enough, its been above 40 for the past 3 weeks with the temperature only going to mid 30’s in the early hours of the morning so its no wonder your hair may be feeling a little dehydrated. It can cause color to fade, increase split ends, go frizzy and just make you feel like crap so its a good all round reason to make sure you get on top of it if it hasn’t already.

Here is what you can do right now to top up the moisture levels!

Book yourself in for a trim 011410100 11 – you should be trimming it every 6 weeks regardless of if you want to grow it or not, it removes damaged ends from heat, sun, styling and life so it can continue to look good

check the shampoo you are using, use a sulphate free one, its more gentle and will keep moisture levels better than any other shampoo. We use and recommend Alfa Parf, yes we stock it and its for sale

Stop doing chemical treatments just because everyone else is, possibly the worst treatment you can do is Rebonding or smoothening, some call it different things but the process is the same. Kerating should ONLY be done if there is no other option and will reduce curl and/or frizz but not 100% so be aware of reality vs great before and after images on social media!

Always condition and use a leave in serum, if your hair gets oils then wash it daily but skipping these two will dry our your hair.

Don’t take your color through the ends, its not needed and will cause damage.

Hope this helps and remember to cover up your hair in a hat or scarf when your outside, wash it to remove perspiration build up on your scalp which in turn dries out your scalp. Don’t be scared to wash it daily as long as you are using a good product!

From tine to time we get bored with things, it’s life and we all go through it could be your hair, work, your wardrobe, routine etc etc. when you think about color you are dying for something rich, juicy and expensive looking then it’s time to come in and have a consultation with us.

You’ve trolled through the internet like you have tried to find evidence of your partner cheating, you have compared prices and deals to the point you really have no idea how half of them work. Most claim to be the best at well pretty much everything. Some claim they are the biggest, the fastest, the best, the most convenient, spacious, best trained, most awarded blah blah blah. Over it?

Once you have decided to go light you want it right now, no waiting, It needs to be done now!

The problem is your hair doesn’t feel the same, to get it to go from one point to another it has to be done in a way that both the condition and integrity of the hair as well as the desired color is achieved. If you lighten it up too fast the tone will change after a week or even a few days. Look at it as transitioning the color during each season to be able to reach your goal by the next season.

It’s not just us, it’s a saying and let’s be honest there has to be a reason and we are here to explain it in the easiest way we know how so listen up!

Actually it’s more like gold, not the expensive one more like the imitation one. When your hair is dark it has the most red ( warm ) pigment, more than light brown hair. When you think about the color off your dreams is it yellow or gold? I doubt it, no one intentionally wants to look that bad 🙊

The reason

The problem is when your color is being done, it has been not lightened enough, the gold pigment needs to be removed in this process or no matter what you do it will show it’s ugly head if not immediately or in a week or so.

Now the second biggest issue is how the end result is finished off, if it’s toned again with a light color ( because the hairstylist just realised it wasn’t light enough and trying to fix it the wrong way)

Without getting into the technicalities of hair coloring understand a toner the way a lot of salons do then are a permanent color so by putting it on your entire head with lighten it all up making the hair that wants coloured gold and yellow.

Now this is not the only reason but considering the amount of people we see it’s the cause in 95% of the cases.

Don’t risk it and only trust a professional salon. There is a reason we are named the best colorists in India

Bring the most commonly used colors, black or even dark brown is possibly the hardest to get out of your hair. If you have white hair the variation between the two colors makes the contrast even more difficult to hide or disguise.

To go cold turkey and simply not color it and let it grow out will not only leave you looking like your 10-15 years older than you are so that’s simply not an option unless you plan on moving to a remote location for the next 6-12 months.

Here is how you do it, we call it the reverse fade in and it makes the transition east and liveable so relax there is help.

Firstly you need to understand that a blanket ( total ) coverage needs to be Brocken up and you need to start getting the new white hair less covered, a little translucent so the contrast is not as much therefore freeing you up with time, saving you money and most of all not having to color your hair every 10-12 days!

For the next 3-4 colors they will be done 1/2 shade lighter and mixed slightly different so you don’t get a blanket coverage, it will mask but not cover like 85-90%.

After your 4th touch up we add highlights to the ends to break it up to try and remove the solidness of it. Then take the base color 2 shades lighter, this is when people will see the results. We keep doing this until the lighter growth is more than the darkness then remove some length and boom your lighter, more natural and have more freedom and not stuck into getting touch ups every 10 days unless it’s at the club on a Friday night 😝

Well that certainly would not taste good so no matter how pretty it may look in this photo, it’s wrong on so many levels!!

Now the reason why I bring up sushi 🍣 cat 🐱 is simply to say no matter what pretty little picture you have saved from trolling on line, no matter how many of your Gucci handbag lovers say ” Oh my god you totally should” do this or that with your hair, if we say you should not then the answer as much as you don’t want to hear it…. you must listen!

Not everyone wants to be in a band, have a sleeve full of tattoos or drive a Harley Davidson ( well the last one isn’t true, who doesn’t want to drive a Harley!) Getting bad boy hair is not as hard as you think if you just don’t over think it!

Obviously the cut has to be done right but let’s just assume it was, styling bad boy hair is easy because it rely’s on typically one product, keep in mind guys don’t do complacated.

Texture is important and blunt cuts won’t work, having texture in your hair is 80% done in the cut and the rest is done in choice of product. Typically a matte paste is the perfect product on dry hair, never blow dry only use your fingers when drying followed by tee spoon in your hand rubbed together then place firmly over the entire head then shake and run!

You’ve trolled through the internet like you have tried to find evidence of your partner cheating, you have compared prices and deals to the point you really have no idea how half of them work. Most claim to be the best at well pretty much everything. Some claim they are the biggest, the fastest, the best, the most convenient, spacious, best trained, most awarded blah blah blah. Over it?

Sadly a very common problem is asking the wrong person for hair advice. You ask a plumber plumbing issues, electrician electrical problem, doctors medical problems.

How hard is it to understand hairdressers do hair, not makeup artists, not dermatologists, not fashion stylists actually hairdressers who have studied the science of hair and what it is and is not capable of.

If you head to the market and ask a random person for hair advice and we find out, trust me things are going to end badly.

Back in the 90’s way back there was a moment, a very very short space in time, you could even call it a speck. Ok a speck in time, maybe even a glitch in the universe it was that small. Striped highlighted were cool.

So your not From Hawaii but your hair washes out and goes a orange brown between visits.

It happens and it ends up making your color look like it’s out of a box and not like a rare unique zebra from a tropical island. Here is why and how to prevent it.

Your cuticle isn’t closing, the tone is being washed away. You must condition daily.

The water quality is terrible and causing the color to fade, use filtered water or bottled water. Annoying yes but it works.

Your shampoo is too destructive and has SLS which is stripping the color. Change to a sulfate free shampoo. We use Alfa Parf products which are all SLS & paraben free.

Your hair condition is ruined and the cuticle can not hold the color in because it’s too damaged. Remove damaged sections, get treatments to help close cuticle.

Do not use any oil treatment on your hair ever! It swells the cuticle and causes color to fade.

Each time you color your hair the ends do not always need color, the more you color the more damaged it gets, the more damaged the less the color holds.

If your constantly ending up orange or red then maybe adding some ash to your next color is what is needed, a lot can be done during the actual color process and the way it is mixed up as well as what you do once you leave the salon!

We got to put it out there, recently we saw a TV ad with possibly the worst wig known to mankind. Sure the model maybe didn’t agree to go bright pink or maybe production thought they could pick up a perfect wig at the corner store who knows.

Moral of the story is

Yes all colors are possible on your hair, if your hair condition allows.

No natural looking wigs rarely will be able to be fitted to everyone and certainly don’t allow for a last minute change holding on to MTV music video expectations.

Plan plan plan

Pastel colors can be done, they take time and effort to do and maintain.

If you want a bright color wig, get on line and check which one fits your budget and do your research.

8-10 hours of sleep a night. Yes some of you should have hair like Rupanzel right about now!

Healthy diet! There are 5 food groups all nutritionists around the world know about them, it’s not a secret. Eat something from each group daily. Don’t over eat, don’t skip and don’t try to convince yourself you can cheat. Healthy body healthy hair!

Use good products, for f*%# sake just because they have a Marketing budget doesn’t mean it’s the best product! Do some research get the facts!

You grew up thinking you had black hair, everyone told you it’s black, it looks black, chances are it’s not.

When your colouring your hair to appear natural going with the color you were when you were 5,10 or even 15 is wrong. As we get older our hair changes color so whilst you may have been dark brown at 10 your 35 with some white hairs chances are it’s brown!

If you’re colouring your hair to cover the grey here are a few things to help get the best out of the time and longevity of the process.

Always go 1/2 to 1 shade lighter than your natural color

Add variation, a few highlights gives variation and therefore breaks up regrowth, giving you longer between colors.

Don’t color the ends, ever! The ends should be lighter than the roots.

Use a sulfate free shampoo and always conditioner.

Try to add a variation each visit, shade change or add some fun to eliminate boredom.

If you can manage a few of the above, you’re chances of having a color people comment on in a good way are far greater!

So your the type of person who crashes at your friends place, always leaves your wallet at home & always look for the cheaper way to get things done.

Now whilst we all hate you, because your constant cry poor nonsense and your constant buying of clothes, shoes and electronics ( yes we all noticed! ) you try mixing home remedies for your hair because you think it’s cheaper!

Well the biggest problem with trying to duplicate experience when it comes to hair color or hair care is that hair depth, density, strength and porosity varies dramatically from person to person and then vary from month to month. With that being said a “home remedy” or a DIY today may work, tomorrow may be a total disaster. A harmless Color that your told is “natural” makes even the most mild bleech react and turn your hair to straw!

I guess it’s only when things go terribly wrong, you realise that there may be more to this than your grandmothers remedies. Before trying to do things yourself, always get professional advice from a professional salon.

An important fact to remember, the home remedies done 100 years ago were done on hair that was exposed to far less than it is today. Pollution, chemicals in water, chemicals in food and the list goes on. It’s a complete different world today that we are exposed too than it was 20,30,50 years ago.

No matter where you look you see color and it changes your perception of life when you see certain colors your mind reacts and feelings are born. Blue skies create happy feelings, grey skies and you feel like curling up in bed all day.

With that in mind, hair has to be an extension of your personality and whilst the cut it the foundation of it the color is what brings it all together to create the feeling.

Doesn’t matter if your color goals are to be as loud as a My little pony doll or as subtle as playing a Led Zeplin song backwards it’s all possible. The only way you will get a color that not only matches your cut and face is if you have an in depth discussion with a professional and assess the options.

No matter how much research you put into it, you have to match the image in your head, to the best stylist that understands what that image looks like. We talk about it a lot, we practise it daily yet we also get people coming in daily with disasters and we all wonder why it keeps happening.

Highlights that make you look like a zebra have been out of fashion since the the 90’s and whilst fashion is individual, if this is the opposite to what you want it’s not right. So how do you get those nice fine highlights you have pinned on Pinterest or Instagram? Well there is no easy answer or anything foolproof but you have to do your bit and get all the references you can to make sure you can show the stylist.

Choose a salon that you know someone who has been there, honestly it’s the best advertisement, make sure they insist on a indepth consultation and ask for images or offer them to you!

Just dropping in and getting a random color at any salon is not a good idea, one bad color can destroy your hair and really F#%{ your happiness!

Consultations are free, 100% of salons worldwide! Drop in and have a chat and find the one your most comfortable with!

We are trained for all types of coloring and maintain an internationally updated training, from pastel coloring to the latest techniques around the globe as well as our own developed we love talking hair and most of all listening to what would float your boat!

If you have ever wanted chocolate brown hair you will know that there is a zillion variations of it, because chocolate comes in almost black to white so let’s just assume we are are talking above the most common yummy chocolate brown like this one 👇🏻 ( bottom left corner )

Now achieving this is fairly basic if your hair has not been colored or has any chemical services but I guess that’s as rare as cheap weekend away so let’s just push that aside for now.

Now chocolate is a combination of warm tones that include gold & brown. To maintain this tone requires follow through on your part which if done you will look delicious for the 6 week gap between visits.

Understand color is not color, there is a huge amount of variables that need to be taken into consideration, one brand is NOT the same as the next and depending on what your color is prior to the chocolate as to how it will hold and the end result achieved.

Now Maintainence doesn’t have to be a nasty word that makes you think of expensive products and countless trips back to the salon but does require a commitment.

We reccomend a sulfate free shampoo and condition daily, if you do not close the cuticle your color will literally wash out before your eyes!﻿

Things to use

Sulfate free shampoo we use and reccomend Alfa Parf Milano products.

A leave in serum and/or conditioner to make sure the cuticle is closed.

Alfa Parf has a product called pigments ( it’s not a DIY or at home product ) but if any fade does occur it can be applied between visits and is safe and conditioning, pure color pigment which will lock inside your hair and assist in tone change.

Always have an indepth chat with your stylist before and color on condition, Maintainence and always forward plan your next look.

Hairdressers, typically get an insight into the life of the people sitting in the chair more than family and at times closer than husbands and wives. We listen, we talk and we connect, it’s a relationship that is hard to define at times.

But make no mistake there are some things that make us want to pick you up and shake you until you stop doing them ( obviously the personal habbits aside ).

The 5 things we want you to stop now!

Don’t make appointments and be so late then expect us to drop everything because your finally ready. Respect everyone’s time, 10 min is a lot when your appointment may be only 30min

Bring in references we love them but don’t expect miracles in one sitting, at times it takes time for a transition.

Come in and talk with us about hair, ask loads of questions it honestly makes us happy. Come in and get a DIY on how to do it yourself and I assure you not only will your hair will regret it but you will when it costs you twice as much to fix it.

Don’t skip appointments your hair needs trimming every 6-8 weeks regardless of how long it is or how long you want to grow it.

Stop overdoing things and then expecting the best out of your hair, too much color, too many changes of color, too much heat styling and the list goes on.

No this doesn’t mean we don’t love you it just means we have to be on the same page if it’s going to be a long term love that’s all.

You wake up every morning and don’t like looking in the mirror? It’s time for this shit to change and it’s time for you to start loving your reflection!

How?

Well firstly let’s all agree that what goes on in your head decides what happens outside in reality so it’s super important that you get this attitude in control now. You change outside it impacts the inside, so it’s time to get yourself feeling good because life is short! Your reflection is perfection. Be happy, get up and get yourself into a salon and get something done to make yourself feeling awesome.

You have spent a few months semi naked, carefree and braided now your thinking you want a change of scenery on dry land with a new look so what are you going to do?

First things first let’s remove all traces of glitter, it’s a little messy in between the sheets anyway.

Not to mention around the house, that shit just goes everywhere!

Have your last little romp around town with your tail and topless while you can still be considered exotic, as soon as that color changes they will all think your just crazy!

Now what options do you have with the color?

Depending on how much color, how long you have been doing it and the condition of your hair, it’s not an easy question to answer. Most likely your natural color has been lightened so bleaching your hair to remove the pastel should be done with great caution. Remember even if you can not see the blonde it is still there and so is the hair that was dragged through death and back.
Taking it darker is possible but kind of lame considering you are currently a creature from the deep blue. One way would be to let it fade out naturally, we can remove some extra color to help speed up the process. If your totally over it we suggest a slightly deeper color that camouflages the pastel but be warned, no matter how dark you go, you will most likely be shocked!

Some of us hear half the story and already decide the ending, for the person telling the story it’s incredibly frustrating.

When it comes to getting the best hair possible, you have to have the full picture, understand the process and then assess. It’s not the type of thing you can shop on price, it’s a combination of skill, attitude, price & convenience.

Always have an in depth consultation with a prospective hairstylist or even your current one on what it is exactly your after so you love your hair. Explain restrictions be it length, color, time or money. Remember the more information shared the more likely it is you will love it!

So you’ve invested considerable time looking for the perfect color on Pinterest and now searching which salon to call before making the big step, let’s drop some not so “alternative facts” and help you sort through the nonsense that we heard you might be told!

Understand a few things so you can leave the rest to a little common sense. The darker the hair the more it has to go through to get any light shade, the more you bleach it the more damage it can do. Hair is its gold yellow or red needs to be lighter to remove these undertones before being able to get the “mermaid” looking colors unless they too are red, yellow or orange.

Depending on how dark your hair is, it can take 2-3 applications and up to 9 hours.

May not be able to remove red, orange or yellow totally depends on your hair which in turn will effect end result

Is more expensive than a regular color yes. Sometime a lot, 3-4 times. Anyone who offers this at a very cheap price or deal be suspicious

Once you do the pastel shade over the blonde or lightened sections, understand it will fade fast, can stay for 10-15 washes or could last 1-3 months depending on hair quality after lightening.

Will it make your hair fall out… no. If done incorrectly it could break but there are treatments to prevent this happening.

Care and at home Maintainence? Sulfate free shampoo that won’t strip color. Pastel blondes may require a purple shampoo to maintain tone ( like kms blonde shampoo or clairol blonde available on line )

You can color it back close to your natural color yes however covering the color does not change the fact underneath its colored and could be damaged. Long term care is required.

So the darker the hair the harder it is, the more work needed and the more upkeep. Can it be done? Of course it can be but takes time and know how.

It’s a routine we all hopefully do daily and yet there are some people who still think it’s ok to do it, they use it openly and still ask why every 6 weeks. It’s cheap it’s big, it’s easy so why not?

We are talking about using Sulfate free shampoo! We use and reccomend Alfa Parf which is free from nasty Sulfates and parabins which will strip your hair color that you spend all that time and money on, dilute the intensity, possibly dry out your scalp as well as your hair!

So for about the same as your drug store shampoo you get a product that is not only going to gaurentee your color lasts the way it’s meant too but will look after the condition better also. Sure it doesn’t bubble up so much you can rumble around like your in a bubble bath but aren’t you meant to be washing your hair and not playing in the shower?

You meet and can hardly keep your hands off each other to make coffee and a few months/Year later you meet with a little peck. You get your color done and it’s as hot and deep as your hottest one night stand, several weeks later it’s faded and as lifeless as your sex life!

Don’t worry we can help you with getting your color intensity back, the other stuff you will need to work on yourself but I suggest getting your color on will help you feel hot so who knows!

Alfa Parf have created Pigments ( don’t worry its s professional product so no technical info is here just the awesome results)

It work as direct color pigment and is more gentle than your regular color as it’s watered down with shampoo or can be added in with your regular color also! It creates longer lasting depth more than regular colors.

You can do it as a quick service I. Between your regular colors to freshen up the intensity so you don’t have to damage your ends doing unnecessary “global colors” that will damage and cost you money you can spend on candles or flavoured lube to fix you other problems, well because we fix hair rest is up to you to get back on track.

BeforeAfter
So now you have no reason to have faded color. Available in multiple reflects!

Imagine your out, some serious shit goes down and the description given for the offender is so basic it could be 99% of the population. Hope your following it so far, the trick is being unique or you may be pinned with something that you didn’t do so a new look is as much for you as it is for your safety!

Please make sure if your going to do the wrong thing that you visit us afterwards.

Do you spend countless hours on line searching all things from how to bake the perfect banana bread to filling out travel horoscopes?

You won’t say yes out loud, but I know your as bored af and it’s ok everyone gets bored from time to time.Is your version of a “touch up” getting your color done?

Ok so let’s make sure you don’t get so bored you end up trying to lighten up your hair with lemon juice and household bleach and help you shop for a new color for your hair!

We are going to make this super easy for you so you can stop thinking and first thing tomorrow can book in for your new hair color.

Are you able to return to the salon for Maintainence every month?

YES -Great your ok with it then cool your options are wide open.

No -Your a realist that’s awesome, best for highlights maybe some ombré or sombre but subtle and not too much happening at the top so you can skip a month or two before getting any touch ups.

Do you want people to notice it or does the color need to be subtle ( this means natural, not in your face and looks expensive )

I want everyone to see it- Your options are mermaid pastel combination to a natural base to add depth

Needs to be subtle – Ok so whatever your doing the color can’t be more than two shade difference from your natural color.

It’s never about what others think because if your happy in your own skin then no matter what you do it will look good if you have the right attitude. So if it’s pastel then decide what tone, if it’s a natural color then it’s just a matter of matching your natural color and maybe you want to add a little lighter variation on ends then your ready to book in and finish the chat and get your new look.

Anyone who has ended up with a color that looks like you did it yourself will attest that coloring hair is an art and needs to be done right the first time! Unlike coloring a wall or a canvas, each time you color your hair damage is done that can not be reversed completely.

Some of the key things to keep in mind when choosing the right color are…

Upkeep, are you happy to get it redone when it’s needed? Some colors would need a lot of Maintainence whilst others very little. Ask about price, products needed etc etc

The nylon swatches are an indication, they are close but it doesn’t work like choosing a color for your walls, depending on your hair current hair color, the history of color your hair has been through on the result so if your not being asked these questions then you really need to re think your salon choice.

Whilst some brands claim to be Amonia free, they refer to the tube of color that is yet to be mixed with the higher amonia to activate it before it goes on your hair.

Some colors can not be done or achieved without implications or possibly done over time and not able to be done in one sitting. A good stylist will tell you.

Your skin tone is one thing yes, some of the other factors that can determine if a color will suit you are personality, lifestyle, hair texture to name a few. It’s not just skin color.

We all say words, that to us have a definite meaning based on our life and our experience. Your feelings or thoughts on those words and others is not correct or incorrect it’s simply different. Let us explain a few examples to make sure we are all on the same page because it’s super important that your hair stylist & you have a complete conversation around the words you use when we talk color. Someone who’s hair that is above the collar will have a certain picture in their mind what is short and if your hair is halfway down your back chances are your version of short will not be the same.

Let’s look at some variations of gold or copper

Now let’s look at some variations of red’s

So you can see when you are describing color there is many factors to consider, be it your filter of the word itself to the experience you & the stylist have had. Using images as a reference is the best way to explain your version making sure to have references of what you don’t like.

Defining your idea of the color will help the hairstylist and you be able to achieve your goal.

Most people know that the secrets held in a good salon are at times scandalous but hold the answers to the how & why when it comes to getting the hair you have always wanted.

Your hairstylist needs to know what’s going on in your head so they can bring it to life on the outside!

Sadly a lot of salons still don’t get it and spend more time with decorating price lists and creating “deals” when they should be just talking and asking the right questions after all this is a people’s business.

There is sometimes demons in our minds when it comes to going to your appointment, maybe it’s based on previous experience or maybe it’s just from never really loving your hair. Either way let’s help by giving you the heads up on what you can take with you for your next appointment.

Do your homework, no your not back at school but even while your sitting on the toilet go through Pinterest until you have a few references. Length, color, shape and also what you don’t want!

Be honest, if there is one person you shouldn’t try to Bullshit it’s your hairdresser! Your diet, your fears, your dreams and what you ultimately want your look to be.

Don’t wash or blow dry your hair before you visit, we need to see reality & how your hair sits. Expect a indepth consultation PRIOR to heading to the basin.

Honesty on how long your prepared to spend on it daily, what products you use and if you want to be blow drying or just wash n go!

Don’t make drastic decisions based on recent heart ache or life events you may just regret it!

If you have had a bad experience then share it, what happened and what went wrong so it doesn’t happen again.

So basically if you don’t have a relationship with your hairdresser that includes the good bad and ugly then you need to change hairdressers because your missing out!

If you want the hair you have always wanted, then start with not thinking your salon is a drive thru Mc Donalds that you can order from!

So you have a few grey hairs ( 10-20) and you decide to cover it with a “global color” after a few years you decide to let it grow out and you’re shocked to find the 10-20 grey’s has now turned to 50-80!

No it’s not the color that has done anything to make you grow more, it’s the fact that it’s been completely hidden, they were multiplying the entire time and would have been regardless of you doing color or not. Instead of a gradual increase visually it’s right up in your face in an instant.

Colouring your hair doesn’t make it grey!

Instead of having a solid block color if there is only 10-20 try highlights, doesn’t have to be super light just has to be a variation of slightly lighter to disguise the grey not cover it. It’s not only more natural it’s less maintanence.

If you interest in the American elections has replaced the re runs of Friends and you missed the last Presidential debate then you missed Donald Trump talking about “America having some bad ombre’s” or did he mean Hombre’s ( The Spanish word for Dude ) either way we are not sure so we thought it best to clarify.

Mr Trump your right America does have some bad Ombre but it’s not just USA but this is what bad Ombré looks like so we can all be on the look out for Color gone wrong.

Here is some Good ombré for you Donald!

So we think it’s safe to say anyone who doesn’t know good Ombré from bad Hombres should just gracefully drop out of any race or it could lead to a hairdressing backlash that no one wants to see.

It’s not new, but it may be new to you but Sodium Laureth Sulfate is the detergent found in a lot of shampoo’s as well as floor cleaners, engine degreaser and your kitchen detergent and can strip you color, dry your scalp and remove your keratin.

Before you get on the phone and start calling salons getting the cheapest color known to mankind or trying to get the best deal since land on Mars went on sale let’s just put some facts down to help you make the best decision. Because getting something cheap is not always about getting it done right, having the right products to maintain color and condition you may have to initially spend more however over the course of 1-2 months it is not that much more + your hair will look amazing!

1. Sulfate free shampoo cleanses the hair but will not strip color or dry out your scalp, which can cause hair loss and dry scalp. It lathers less but still cleanses perfectly.

2. Safe to use everyday and in fact we encourage it in a polluted city or area to remove any pollutants, perspiration on the hair and scalp. Not shampooing daily can in fact do more damage to your growth than you think, causing bacterial infections and dry scalp.

3. When your conscious of what your using you tend to use the suggested amount and not waste it so in fact it will work out cheaper than your no name or mass product ever would.

4. Condition of your hair dramatically improves as it is not causing excessive stress on the cuticle every time you use it.

5. Colors last longer and stay true to tone longer so your not left with brassy or golden hair which can look half done.

We suggest Alfa Parf shampoo which the entire range is sulfate free and has natural extracts to enhance shine and maintain condition.

It seems like only a few short years ago that finding a Sulfate free shampoo was a challenge let alone find people who knew about it and the benefits.

One of the reasons why we use Alfa Parf both professionally and retail is because it was one of the first to ensure all of their products are Solfate & Parabin free.

What does this mean?

It means so much in terms of Color and the intensity of your Color lasting longer.

The Ph value of your scalp is maintained between 4.5-5.5 as it should be for maintaining healthy growth.

The internal moisture of your hair is not stripped, the cuticle is not stretched too wide so it remains stronger and is able to close tighter therefore making it glow and shine more ( less frizz )

A hair are brand that’s first priority is hair integrity vs anything else is a brand I certainly want to use hence its our key product in all of our salons. If you have not used or experienced Alfa Parf you really must you will love it!

Understand you want have the bathroom over flowing with bubbles because Sodium Laureth Sulfate is the detergent in the shampoo so expect less bubbles.

Yep you read it right, winter is around the corner! Feels like every year by the time we stop complaining and get used to each season the next one is here.

This season with hair we have some very cool looks that are gaining momentum in the “real world” which are easy to do and give a lot of versatility with styling. From Sea Salt styling spray to Matt paste it’s all about free moving hair that looks effortless!

So what cut’s are in?

The Lob with either solid overgrown bangs or micro bangs

The mullet, again bangs are optional be it short or long.

For the guys?

Disconnected is in but undercut is out

Texture texture! Keep the sides short with a smooth taper finish

What’s happening with color?

Similar to makeup contouring, hair color contouring is the big thing now, whilst some play it down it’s real and it works. Using various shades and precise placement of color we frame your face in the most flattering way.

When we are born out hair & skin can be a different color, for some it can be dramatic for me my hair was blonde but it’s not now. Over time your hair and skin change color, it’s life. For you to look natural over time your hair needs to be slightly lighter.

There is more to colouring hair than just covering grey, or having one solid color which can look as fake as wearing a wig! Hair naturally will have various shades, multiple tones from roots to ends and different reflects in light that you will never be able to achieve out of a box!

One of the most common issues we see with people colouring their hair at home is using the wrong color as well as a complete blanket coverage that leaves you looking like, well not as natural as you thought.

Some color myths answered

Can you change your diet to stop your hair going grey? No

Will colouring your hair make it grey? No

Will colouring your hair make it fall out? No

Should the ends be slightly lighter than the roots if I want it to look natural? Yes

If your colouring to cover grey then keep in mind that the darker you color it the faster you will notice the white hair.

If your colouring for attitude or a fashion result then the rules are up to you!

Most of you who have ever searched YouTube a make up tutorial you will be familiar with the term “contouring” with make up, its the use of lighter and darker shades to to define or highlight areas of the face be it jaw line, cheek bones etc. This has now moved into assisting in creating the perfect color specifically for your face shape. Everyone has a different face shape and hair texture so its important when you are choosing what color you are going to do that you get the right advice, not just based on what’s in but also what would suit you best after a consultation from the experts.
Its about choosing light and dark tones in certain areas to create depth or shadow on the face and can completely change the way you look! If you are looking for a trend that is unique then look no further because this will not only be on point but bring out the best version of you possible.

Lets look at a few various face shapes so it makes it a little easier to understand how this will change the way you color your hair forever!

When we look at an Oval face we have to expand it a little so it’s about creating lighter shades on the lower lengths and on the underneath of the sides and deeper or darker shades on the top to give the illusion of a slightly wider face

The goal here is to stretch out the look, so adding depth to the ends and lightening around the hairline will do exactly that and give you a more elongated look

Again it is about bringing proportion to the shape, accentuating the length and softening the lines using lighter and darker shades around the ears which adds interest and softness.

Lightening around the jawline will soften the jawline and the lower section of the face, the top layers should be slightly lighter to take the eyes away from the width.

Its never about trying to be someone else, its only ever about trying to be the best version of you possible. If you are coloring your hair and if by chance its a block color then your doing it all wrong, naturally no one has the same color on every strand on their head from roots to ends, its incredibly artificial making hair contouring is the go to technique to either make you look naturally hot or over the top crazy ( the same thing can be done with bright colors be it pastel pink, reds, blues etc )

It’s not a new request to get asked for DIY instructions, just like chefs get asked for the recipe it’s never going to be the same. Well for me anyway doesn’t help even with YouTube, maybe get you closer to getting the end result but there is always hidden issues.
After training for 4 years to become a qualified hairstylist you can never put that amount of info on the back of a box no matter how small the font.

Your hungry and don’t really care about what your eating because your about 35 seconds from eating your arm then you pick up the phone and order the fastest thing. It’s ok we have all done it, certainly not the best thing for you if your planning on it being a daily activity but once in a blue moon is fine I say!

Now when it comes to your hair a lot of you ( yes a lot! ) choose your hair salon based on the best deal, coupon or promotion. Now whilst I know and it’s true for all of us that there is a budget for us all for most things. We need to understand the difference and the actual cost of a bad or under researched decision.

1. A good haircut should last your 6-8 weeks, should sit in shape and be manageable for most of this time.

2. A lot of people I talk to say they get a color every 2-3 weeks and hate being tied to the salon. I would say 5 weeks is ideal anything before that your color is either A. High fashion color B. Wrong choice of color.

Either way your spending too much and wasting too much time, re asses the look vs time you are happy to spend in the salon.

3. This is the most sensitive one which very few will admit. Most salons have a treatment or several treatments ( or maybe you understand if I say ” hairspa” ) that do very little to improving hair condition but are a great money earner. Yes it’s true a LOT are just as basic as a conditioner! A waste of time and money.

4. You will be told to go for this or that, your hair needs it etc etc and whilst sometimes it’s true a lot of the time it’s not. Some salons will try to convince you to do services that lock you into visiting more regularly just to squeeze a little out of you more often which means your spend is higher.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not throwing stones I’m simply trying to explain that buying anything on price isn’t always cheaper. Besides all of the above there is obvious other factors to take into account.

Next time your out shopping on price maybe Google quality then drop into the salons shortlisted and have an honest conversation about what you can afford and what look your after.